Pharmaceutical composition containing 2-{4-[N-(5,6-diphenylpyrazin-2-yl)-N-isopropylamino]butyloxy}-N-(methylsulfonyl)acetamide

ABSTRACT

A stabilized solid preparation containing 2-{4-[N-(5,6-diphenylpyrazin-2-yl)-N-isopropylamino]butyloxy}-N-(methylsulfonyl)acetamide is provided, namely, a solid preparation containing 2-{4-[N-(5,6-diphenylpyrazin-2-yl)-N-isopropylamino]butyloxy}-N-(methylsulfonyl)acetamide and D-mannitol having a specific surface area of 1.0 m 2 /g or less.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a U.S. national stage application under 35U.S.C. § 371 of International Patent Application No. PCT/JP2016/085822filed on Dec. 1, 2016, which claims the benefit of foreign priority toJapanese Patent Application No. JP 2015-236034 filed on Dec. 2, 2015.The International Application was published in Japanese on Jun. 15,2017, as International Publication No. WO 2017/098998 A1 under PCTArticle 21(2).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a stabilized solid preparationcontaining2-{4-[N-(5,6-diphenylpyrazin-2-yl)-N-isopropylamino]butyloxy}-N-(methylsulfonyl)acetamide(hereinafter referred to as “Compound (I)”).

BACKGROUND ART

It is known that Compound (I) represented by the following structuralformula has an excellent prostaglandin I₂ (also referred to as PGI₂)receptor agonistic activity and shows various medicinal effects such asa platelet aggregation inhibitory effect, a vasodilating effect, abronchial smooth muscle dilating effect, a lipid deposition inhibitoryeffect, and a leukocyte activation inhibitory effect (PTL 1).[Chem. 1]

In general, as diluents for a solid preparation, lactose, cornstarch,crystalline cellulose, and sugar alcohols such as D-mannitol are usedfor diluting an active ingredient. In the process for studying theformulation of a solid preparation containing Compound (I), it was foundthat Compound (I) itself is stable to temperature and humidity; however,depending on the type of D-mannitol, the decomposition of Compound (I)in the solid preparation proceeds, and the content thereof decreases.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

-   [PTL 1] WO 2002/088084-   [PTL 2] WO 2009/157396-   [PTL 3] WO 2009/107736-   [PTL 4] WO 2009/154246-   [PTL 5] WO 2009/157397-   [PTL 6] WO 2009/157398-   [PTL 7] WO 2009/154246-   [PTL 8] WO 2009/157397

Non Patent Literature

-   [NPL 1] Hepatology, 2007, Vol. 45, No. 1, pp. 159-169.-   [NPL 2] Folia Pharmacologica Japonica, Vol. 117, No. 2, pp. 123-130,    2001, Abstract.-   [NPL 3] International Angiology, 29, Suppl. 1 to No. 2, pp. 49-54,    2010.-   [NPL 4] Jpn. J. Clin. Immunol., 16(5), 409-414, 1993.-   [NPL 5] Jpn. J. Thromb. Hemost., 1:2, pp. 94-105, 1990, Abstract.-   [NPL 6] J. Rheumatol., 2009, 36(10), 2244-2249.-   [NPL 7] Japan J. Pharmacol., 43, pp. 81-90, 1987.-   [NPL 8] New Engl. J. Med., 2015, 24, 2522-2533.-   [NPL 9] CHEST 2003, 123, 1583-1588.-   [NPL 10] Br. Heart J., 53, pp. 173-179, 1985.-   [NPL 11] The Lancet, 1, 4880, pt 1, pp. 569-572, 1981.-   [NPL 12] Eur. J. Pharmacol., 449, pp. 167-176, 2002.-   [NPL 13] The Journal of Clinical Investigation, 117, pp. 464-472,    2007.-   [NPL 14] Am. J. Physiol. Lung Cell Mol. Physiol., 296: L648-L656,    2009.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

An object of the present invention is to provide a stabilized solidpreparation containing Compound (I). Here, the term “stabilized” meansthat the decrease in the content of Compound (I) contained in the solidpreparation due to decomposition thereof is suppressed.

Solution to Problem

As a result of intensive studies for achieving the above object, thepresent inventors found that the stability of Compound (I) in a solidpreparation is improved by using D-mannitol having a specific surfacearea of 1.0 m²/g or less as a diluent for Compound (I), and thuscompleted the present invention.

That is, the present invention is as follows.

(A) A solid preparation containing Compound (I) and D-mannitol having aspecific surface area of 1.0 m²/g or less.

(B) The solid preparation described in (A), wherein the amount ofD-mannitol is from 5 to 10000 parts by weight with respect to 1 part byweight of Compound (I).

(C) The solid preparation described in (A) or (B), wherein the contentof D-mannitol is from 10 to 99 wt % of the total weight of the solidpreparation.

(D) The solid preparation described in any one of (A) to (C), whereinD-mannitol accounts for 20 wt % or more of the total weight of diluentscontained in the solid preparation.

(E) The solid preparation described in (A), wherein the content ofD-mannitol is

(a) such that the weight of D-mannitol is from 5 to 10000 parts byweight with respect to 1 part by weight of Compound (I),

(b) from 10 to 99 wt % of the total weight of the solid preparation, and

(c) 20% or more of the total weight of diluents contained in the solidpreparation.

(F) The solid preparation described in any one of (A) to (E), furthercomprising a diluent other than D-mannitol and a binder.

(G) The solid preparation described in (F), wherein the diluent otherthan D-mannitol is one type or two types selected from the groupconsisting of cornstarch, sucrose, and crystalline cellulose.

(H) The solid preparation described in (F), wherein the binder ishydroxypropyl cellulose.

(I) The solid preparation described in any one of (A) to (E), furthercontaining

(a) one type or two types selected from the group consisting ofcornstarch, sucrose, and crystalline cellulose, and

(b) hydroxypropyl cellulose.

(J) The solid preparation described in (I), wherein

(a) the content of Compound (I) is from 0.1 to 2 wt % of the totalweight of the solid preparation,

(b) the content of D-mannitol is from 20 to 80 wt % of the total weightof the solid preparation,

(c) the content of cornstarch is from 15 to 40 wt % of the total weightof the solid preparation, and

(d) the content of hydroxypropyl cellulose is from 1 to 5 wt % of thetotal weight of the solid preparation.

(K) The solid preparation described in (J), wherein Compound (I) is aForm-I crystal.

(L) The solid preparation described in any one of (A) to (K), whereinthe solid preparation is a tablet or a granule.

(M) The solid preparation described in any one of (A) to (L), which isused for treating diabetic neuropathy, diabetic gangrene, a peripheralcirculatory disturbance, chronic arterial occlusion, intermittentclaudication, scleroderma, thrombosis, pulmonary hypertension,myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, glomerulonephritis, diabeticnephropathy, chronic renal failure, bronchial asthma, interstitialpneumonia (pulmonary fibrosis), a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,tubulointerstitial nephritis, an inflammatory bowel disease, or asymptom associated with spinal canal stenosis.

(N) The solid preparation described in (M), which is used for treatingpulmonary hypertension.

(O) The solid preparation described in (M), which is used for treating aperipheral circulatory disturbance.

(P) The solid preparation described in (M), which is used for treatingchronic arterial occlusion.

(Q) The solid preparation described in (M), which is used for treatingintermittent claudication.

(R) The solid preparation described in (M), which is used for treating asymptom associated with spinal canal stenosis.

(S) The solid preparation described in (M), which is used for treatingpulmonary fibrosis.

(T) The solid preparation described in (M), which is used for treatingscleroderma.

(U) The solid preparation described in (M), which is used for treatingchronic renal failure.

(V) The solid preparation described in (M), which is used for treatingtubulointerstitial nephritis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a powder X-ray diffraction spectrum chart of a Form-Icrystal of Compound (I). The vertical axis represents a peak intensity(cps) and the horizontal axis represents a diffraction angle (2θ [°]).

FIG. 2 shows a powder X-ray diffraction spectrum chart of a Form-IIcrystal of Compound (I). The vertical axis represents a peak intensity(cps) and the horizontal axis represents a diffraction angle (2θ[°]).

FIG. 3 shows a powder X-ray diffraction spectrum chart of a Form-IIIcrystal of Compound (I). The vertical axis represents a peak intensity(cps) and the horizontal axis represents a diffraction angle (2θ [°]).

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(Compound (I))

Compound (I) can be produced in accordance with the method described in,for example, PTL 1 or 2, and the following crystals of three forms areknown (PTL 2).

(1) A Form-I crystal of Compound (I), for which a powder X-raydiffraction diagram is obtained using a Cu-Kα radiation (λ=1.54 Å), andwhich shows diffraction peaks at the following diffraction angles (2θ):9.4°, 9.8°, 17.2°, and 19.4° in the powder X-ray diffraction spectrum ofCompound (I).

(2) A Form-II crystal of Compound (I), for which a powder X-raydiffraction diagram is obtained using a Cu-Kα radiation (λ=1.54 Å), andwhich shows diffraction peaks at the following diffraction angles (2θ):9.0°, 12.9°, 20.7°, and 22.6° in the powder X-ray diffraction spectrumof Compound (I).

(3) A Form-III crystal of Compound (I), for which a powder X-raydiffraction diagram is obtained using a Cu-Kα radiation (λ=1.54 Å), andwhich shows diffraction peaks at the following diffraction angles (2θ):9.3°, 9.7°, 16.8°, 20.6°, and 23.5° in the powder X-ray diffractionspectrum of Compound (I).

Compound (I) which can be used in the solid preparation of the presentinvention may be any of the above-mentioned crystals, and further, itmay be a mixture of these crystals or may be amorphous. Above all, theForm-I crystal is preferred.

The powder X-ray diffraction spectrum charts of the above-mentionedcrystals of three forms are shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 for reference.

The powder X-ray diffraction spectra of these crystals were measuredusing RINT-Ultima III (manufactured by Rigaku Corporation) (target: Cu,voltage: 40 kV, current: 40 mA, scan speed: 4°/min).

The amount of Compound (I) contained in the solid preparation of thepresent invention is preferably from 0.1 to 12 wt %, more preferablyfrom 0.1 to 2 wt % of the total weight of the solid preparation.

(D-Mannitol)

As a diluent for the solid preparation of the present invention,D-mannitol having a specific surface area of 1.0 m²/g or less is used.The specific surface area is more preferably 0.7 m²/g or less, furthermore preferably larger than 0.2 m²/g and smaller than 0.7 m²/g.

In the present invention, the specific surface area is a value measuredby the BET method, and can be measured using, for example, a specificsurface area measuring device Macsorb HM model-1220 (Mountech Co.,Ltd.).

As an example of D-mannitol to be used in the present invention, forexample, Mannit C (Mitsubishi Shoji Foodtech Co., Ltd., average particlediameter: 20 μm), Mannit P (Mitsubishi Shoji Foodtech Co., Ltd., 50 μm),Mannit S (Mitsubishi Shoji Foodtech Co., Ltd., average particlediameter: 150 μm), Pearlitol 25C (Roquette Pharma, average particlediameter: 25 μm), Pearlitol 50C (Roquette Pharma, average particlediameter: 50 μm), Pearlitol 160C (Roquette Pharma, average particlediameter: 160 μm), Nonpareil 108 (100) (Freund Corporation, averageparticle diameter: 100 μm), and Nonpareil 108 (200) (Freund Corporation,average particle diameter: 200 μm) can be exemplified. Among these,Mannit P, Mannit S, Pearlitol 50C, and Pearlitol 160C are preferred.

As the diluent for the solid preparation of the present invention,D-mannitol having a specific surface area of 1.0 m²/g or less is used.The D-mannitol may account for 20 wt % or more, and more preferablyaccounts for 50 wt % or more of the total weight of diluents containedin the solid preparation of the present invention. The diluents may be amixture of two or more types. As the diluents which can be used otherthan D-mannitol, cornstarch, crystalline cellulose, sucrose, erythritol,isomalt, and the like can be exemplified, and cornstarch, sucrose, andcrystalline cellulose are preferred. Cornstarch is more preferred.

The content of cornstarch is preferably from 0.5 to 45%, more preferably15 to 40% of the total weight of the solid preparation.

(Solid Preparation)

The solid preparation of the present invention is a solid preparationcontaining Compound (I) and D-mannitol, and is characterized in that theamount of D-mannitol is from 5 to 10000 parts by weight, preferably from10 to 9500 parts by weight with respect to 1 part by weight of Compound(I).

The content of D-mannitol in the solid preparation of the presentinvention is generally from 10 to 99 wt %, and is preferably from 15 to95 wt %, more preferably from 20 to 80 wt % of the total weight of thesolid preparation.

In the present invention, unless otherwise specified, the “solidpreparation” refers to a solid preparation in a given form to be orallyadministered, and includes a conventional tablet, an orallydisintegrating tablet, a chewable tablet, a troche tablet, a sublingualtablet, an effervescent tablet, a dispersible tablet, a soluble tablet,a powder, a granule, and a capsule. The solid preparation of the presentinvention includes a single-layer tablet having a single-layer structureand a multi-layer tablet having a multi-layer structure including two ormore layers. The shape of the thus obtained solid preparation is notparticularly limited, and can be various shapes such as a circle, anellipse, a caplet, or a doughnut. In order to control the dissolutionproperty of Compound (I), a sustained release property or an entericrelease property may be imparted to the solid preparation of the presentinvention by a known method. Further, the solid preparation of thepresent invention may be coated with any of various coating agents or asugar coating agent by a known method for the purpose of improvement oflight stability, improvement of appearance, ensuring ofdiscriminability, release control, or the like. Further, in the solidpreparation of the present invention, a pigment may be blended for thepurpose of improvement of light stability, ensuring of discriminability,or the like, and also, a taste masking agent and a flavoring agent maybe blended for the purpose of improvement of flavor, or the like.

In the solid preparation of the present invention, other than theabove-mentioned components, pharmaceutically acceptable carriers(excipients) can be blended as long as the effect of the presentinvention is not inhibited. These excipients can be blended asappropriate in appropriate amounts as, for example, a binder, adisintegrant, a fluidizing agent, a lubricant, a coating agent, arelease control agent, a plasticizer, a coloring agent, a taste maskingagent, and a flavoring agent. These excipients can be used alone or twoor more types thereof can be used in combination.

As the binder, for example, gelatin, pullulan, hydroxypropyl cellulose,methyl cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, macrogol, gum Arabic, dextran,polyvinyl alcohol, pregelatinized starch, and hypromellose can beexemplified, and hydroxypropyl cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, andhypromellose are preferred, and hydroxypropyl cellulose is morepreferred.

The amount of the binder is preferably from 0.1 to 10 wt %, morepreferably from 1 to 8 wt %, further more preferably from 1 to 5 wt % ofthe total weight of the solid preparation.

The amount of hydroxypropyl cellulose is preferably from 0.1 to 10 wt %,more preferably from 1 to 8 wt %, further more preferably from 1 to 5 wt% of the total weight of the solid preparation.

As the disintegrant, for example, carmellose, carmellose calcium,carmellose sodium, croscarmellose sodium, sodium starch glycolate,crospovidone, a cation exchange resin, partially pregelatinized starch,and low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose can be exemplified, andlow-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose is preferred.

The amount of the disintegrant is preferably from 0.1 to 10 wt %, morepreferably from 1 to 8 wt % of the total weight of the solidpreparation.

The amount of low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose is preferably from0.1 to 10 wt %, more preferably from 1 to 8 wt %, further morepreferably from 3 to 7 wt % of the total weight of the solidpreparation.

As the fluidizing agent, for example, light anhydrous silicic acid,hydrated silicon dioxide, synthetic aluminum silicate, and magnesiumaluminometasilicate can be exemplified.

As the lubricant, for example, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, calciumstearate, sodium stearyl fumarate, talc, waxes, DL-leucine, sodiumlauryl sulfate, magnesium lauryl sulfate, macrogol, and light anhydroussilicic acid can be exemplified, and magnesium stearate is preferred.

The amount of the lubricant is preferably from 0.1 to 10 wt %, morepreferably from 0.2 to 5 wt % of the total weight of the solidpreparation.

The amount of magnesium stearate is preferably from 0.1 to 10 wt %, morepreferably from 0.2 to 5 wt %, further more preferably from 0.5 to 3 wt% of the total weight of the solid preparation.

As the coating agent, ethyl cellulose, ethyl acrylate-methylmethacrylate copolymer, methacrylic acid copolymer LD, hypromelloseacetate succinate, and the like can be exemplified.

As the release control agent, for example, hydroxypropyl cellulose, anethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, and polyethylene oxide can beexemplified.

As the plasticizer, for example, triethyl citrate, propylene glycol, andmacrogol can be exemplified, and propylene glycol is preferred.

As the coloring agent, for example, titanium oxide, talc, ironsesquioxide, yellow iron sesquioxide, Food Yellow No. 4, and Food YellowNo. 4 Aluminum Lake can be exemplified, and titanium oxide, ironsesquioxide, yellow iron sesquioxide are preferred.

The content of the coloring agent is preferably less than 0.1 wt % ofthe total weight of the solid preparation.

As the taste masking agent, for example, fructose, xylitol, glucose, andDL-malic acid can be exemplified.

As the flavoring agent, for example, L-menthol and peppermint can beexemplified.

(Method for Producing Solid Preparation)

The solid preparation of the present invention can be produced by aconventional method in the pharmaceutical field. One example of theproduction method for the solid preparation will be shown below;however, the present invention is by no means limited to this productionmethod.

The solid preparation of the present invention is produced as followsusing a powder of Compound (I) which is the active ingredient.

(1) The powder of Compound (I) is mixed with an excipient such as adiluent, thereby forming a powder, or excipients such as a disintegrantand a binder are added to the resulting mixed powder, and the resultingmixture is granulated by any of various known granulation methods,thereby forming a granule.

(2) The obtained mixed powder or granule is filled into a capsule andformed into a capsule or is compression-molded (tableted) and formedinto a tablet, directly or after being mixed with excipients such as alubricant and a fluidizing agent.

(3) According to need, the surface of the obtained mixed powder,granule, capsule, or tablet is coated with a coating agent or a sugar bya known coating method.

The Compound (I) has an excellent PGI₂ receptor agonistic effect and isuseful as a preventive agent or a therapeutic agent for a PGI₂-relateddisease, for example, transient ischemic attack (TIA), diabeticneuropathy (see, for example, NPL 1), diabetic gangrene (see, forexample, NPL 1), a peripheral circulatory disturbance (for example,chronic arteriosclerosis, chronic arterial occlusion (see, for example,NPL 2), intermittent claudication (see, for example, NPL 3), peripheralembolism, or Raynaud's disease) (see, for example, NPL 4 or NPL 5), aconnective tissue disease (for example, systemic lupus erythematosus orscleroderma) (see, for example, PTL 3 or NPL 6), a mixed connectivetissue disease, a vasculitic syndrome, reocclusion/restenosis afterpercutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), arteriosclerosis,thrombosis (for example, acute-phase cerebral thrombosis or pulmonaryembolism) (see, for example, NPL 5 or NPL 7), hypertension, pulmonaryhypertension such as pulmonary arterial hypertension or chronicthromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (for example, NPL 8 or NPL 9), anischemic disease (for example, cerebral infarction or myocardialinfarction (see, for example, NPL 10)), angina pectoris (for example,stable angina pectoris or unstable angina pectoris) (see, for example,NPL 11), glomerulonephritis (see, for example, NPL 12), diabeticnephropathy (see, for example, NPL 1), chronic renal failure (see, forexample, PTL 4), allergy, bronchial asthma (see, for example, NPL 13),ulcer, pressure ulcer (bedsore), restenosis after coronary interventionsuch as atherectomy or stent implantation, thrombocytopenia by dialysis,a disease in which fibrogenesis in an organ or a tissue is involved [forexample, a renal disease (for example, tubulointerstitial nephritis)(see, for example, PTL 3), a respiratory disease (for example,interstitial pneumonia (pulmonary fibrosis) (see, for example, PTL 3), achronic obstructive pulmonary disease (see, for example, NPL 14), or thelike), a digestive disease (for example, hepatocirrhosis, viralhepatitis, chronic pancreatitis, or scirrhous gastric cancer), acardiovascular disease (for example, myocardial fibrosis), a bone orarticular disease (for example, bone marrow fibrosis or rheumatoidarthritis), a skin disease (for example, postoperative cicatrix, burncicatrix, keloid, or hypertrophic cicatrix), an obstetric disease (forexample, uterine fibroid), a urinary disease (for example, prostatichypertrophy), other diseases (for example, Alzheimer's disease,sclerosing peritonitis, type I diabetes, or postoperative organadhesion)], erectile dysfunction (for example, diabetic erectiledysfunction, psychogenic erectile dysfunction, psychotic erectiledysfunction, erectile dysfunction due to chronic renal failure, erectiledysfunction after pelvic operation for resection of the prostate, orvascular erectile dysfunction associated with aging or arteriosclerosis)(see, for example, PTL 7), an inflammatory bowel disease (for example,ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, intestinal tuberculosis, ischemiccolitis, or intestinal ulcer associated with Behcet disease) (see, forexample, PTL 5), gastritis, gastric ulcer, an ischemic eye disease (forexample, retinal artery occlusion, retinal vein occlusion, or ischemicoptic neuropathy), sudden hearing loss, avascular necrosis of bone, anintestinal damage caused by administration of a non-steroidalanti-inflammatory agent (NSAID) (for example, diclofenac, meloxicam,oxaprozin, nabumetone, indomethacin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen, orcelecoxib) (there is no particular limitation as long as it is a damageoccurring in, for example, the duodenum, small intestine, or largeintestine; however, for example, a mucosal damage such as erosion orulcer occurring in the duodenum, small intestine, or large intestine)(see, for example, PTL 8), or a symptom (for example, paralysis,dullness in sensory perception, pain, numbness, or a decrease in walkingability) associated with spinal canal stenosis (for example, cervicalspinal canal stenosis, thoracic spinal canal stenosis, lumbar spinalcanal stenosis, coexisting cervical and lumbar spinal stenosis, orsacral spinal stenosis) (see, for example, PTL 6). In addition, thesolid preparation of the present invention is also useful as anaccelerating agent for gene therapy or angiogenic therapy such asautologous bone marrow transplantation, or an accelerating agent forangiogenesis in peripheral revascularization or angiogenic therapy.

EXAMPLES

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail withreference to Comparative Examples, Examples, and Test Examples; however,these are not intended to limit the present invention.

As Compound (I) used in the present invention, the above-mentionedForm-I crystal was used.

Unless otherwise stated, the following excipients were used in Examplesand Comparative Examples. As cornstarch, Nisshoku Cornstarch W (NihonShokuhin Kako Co., Ltd.) was used. As crystalline cellulose, CeolusPH-101 (Asahi Kasei Chemicals Co., Ltd.) was used. As hydroxypropylcellulose, HPC-SSL (Nippon Soda Co., Ltd.) was used. As low-substitutedhydroxypropyl cellulose, LH-11 (Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) was used.As magnesium stearate, vegetable magnesium stearate (speciallymanufactured) (Taihei Chemical Industrial Co., Ltd.) was used. Assucrose, T.T.G.H granulated sugar (Toyo Sugar Refining Co., Ltd.) wasused. As yellow iron sesquioxide, yellow iron sesquioxide (Kishi KaseiCo., Ltd.) was used. As titanium oxide, Tipaque A-100 (Ishihara SangyoKaisha, Ltd.) was used. As propylene glycol, propylene glycol (AsahiGlass Co., Ltd.) was used.

(Example 1) Type of D-Mannitol and Stability

(1) Preparation of Tablets

Predetermined amounts of Compound (I), each type of D-mannitol,cornstarch, and low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose were placed in afluidized bed granulation/drying machine (MP-01, Powrex Corporation),and a 5% aqueous hydroxypropyl cellulose solution was sprayed thereonwhile mixing, whereby granules were prepared. In the obtained granules,a predetermined amount of magnesium stearate was mixed, and theresulting mixture was tableted at 800 kg using a rotary tabletingmachine (Correct, Kikusui Seisakusho, Ltd.), whereby a tablet (diameter:7 mm, 120 mg/tablet) was prepared. The types of D-mannitol used in therespective Examples and Comparative Examples are shown in Table 1. Thebulk density (g/mL) shown in Table 1 means the ratio of the mass of apowder sample in a state where the powder is not tapped (loosened) tothe volume of the powder including the factor of an inter-particle voidvolume, and it was obtained by weighing 25 g of a sample having passedthrough a sieve with a mesh size of 1000 μm in advance, placing thesample in a measuring cylinder through a funnel, and measuring thevolume at that time, followed by calculation. Further, the tap density(g/mL) shown in Table 1 is a bulk density obtained by mechanicallytapping a container in which the powder sample is placed, andspecifically, it was obtained by tapping the container until no changein the volume was observed, and measuring the volume at that time,followed by calculation.

The components of each tablet and the contents thereof are as shown inTable 2.

TABLE 1 Average particle Tap Bulk diameter density density Example Tradename Manufacturer (μm) (g/ml) (g/ml) Example 1-1 Mannit P MitsubishiShoji 50 0.86 0.40 Foodtech Co., Ltd. Example 1-2 Pearlitol 25C RoquettePharma 25 0.71 0.36 Example 1-3 Pearlitol 50C Roquette Pharma 50 0.780.42 Example 1-4 Pearlitol 160C Roquette Pharma 160 0.78 0.50 Example1-5 Nonpareil 108 (100) Freund Corporation 100 0.83 0.64 ComparativePearlitol 100SD Roquette Pharma 100 0.54 0.45 Example 1-1 ComparativeParteck M200 Merck Co., Ltd. 150 0.60 0.49 Example 1-2

TABLE 2 Composition Component Name (mg/tablet) Compound (I) 0.2D-mannifol (each type) 75.4 Cornstarch 36 Low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose 6 Hydroxypropyl cellulose 1.2 Magnesium stearate 1.2 Total 120(2) Evaluation Method and Results

The obtained tablet was placed in a plastic bottle and stored for 1month in an uncapped state under open conditions at 40° C./75% RH orunder open conditions at 60° C. The related substances of Compound (I)in the tablet were measured before and after the storage usinghigh-performance liquid chromatography, and the increased amount ofrelated substances from the start of the test was evaluated.Incidentally, as the “increased amount of related substances (%)” in thetable, the decreased amount (peak area) of Compound (I) contained in thepreparation before and after the storage is shown. The results and thespecific surface area of each type of D-mannitol used are shown in Table3. It was shown that the produced amount of the related substances wasless than 3% in each of the tablets of Examples 1-1 to 1-5. The specificsurface area of D-mannitol used in each of these Examples was 1.0 m²/gor less, and it could be confirmed that in a case where D-mannitolhaving such physical properties was used, the stability of thepreparation is improved.

TABLE 3 Increased amount of related substances (%) Specific 40° C./surface area D-mannitol 75% RH 60° C. (m²/g) Example 1-1 Mannit P 1.211.87 0.37 Example 1-2 Pearlitol 25C 1.51 2.91 0.59 Example 1-3 Pearlitol50C 1.63 2.92 0.42 Example 1-4 Pearlitol 160C 1.38 2.22 0.28 Example 1-5Nonpareil 108 (100) 1.57 2.88 0.61 Comparative Pearlitol 100SD 2.29 3.191.56 Example 1-1 Comparative Parteck M200 3.06 5.01 3.32 Example 1-2

(Example 2) Stability when Blending D-Mannitol and Another Diluent

(1) Preparation of Tablet

Predetermined amounts of Compound (I), D-mannitol (Mannit P, MitsubishiShoji Foodtech Co., Ltd.), cornstarch, and crystalline cellulose wereplaced in a fluidized bed granulation/drying machine (MP-01, PowrexCorporation), and a 10% aqueous hydroxypropyl cellulose solution wassprayed thereon while mixing, whereby granules were produced. In theobtained granules, predetermined amounts of low-substitutedhydroxypropyl cellulose and magnesium stearate were mixed, and theresulting mixture was tableted at 1000 kg using a rotary tabletingmachine (Correct, Kikusui Seisakusho, Ltd.), whereby a tablet (diameter:8 mm, 190 mg/tablet) was prepared. The contents of the respectivecomponents are as shown in Table 4.

TABLE 4 Composition (mg/tablet) Example Example Example Component Name2-1 2-2 2-3 Compound (I) 0.2 0.2 0.2 D-mannitol (Mannit P) 173.4 138.72138.72 Cornstarch — 34.68 — Crystalline cellulose — — 34.68Hydroxypropyl cellulose 5 5 5 Low-substituted hydroxypropyl 9.5 9.5 9.5cellulose Magnesium stearate 1.9 1.9 1.9 Total 190 190 190(2) Evaluation Method and Results

The tablet prepared in (1) was placed in a plastic bottle along with adesiccant (Dryern tablet PW 2010, Yamani Yakuhin Co., Ltd.) andairtightly sealed, and then, stored for 6 months under conditions of 40°C./75% RH (accelerated test). Further, the tablet was placed in aplastic bottle and stored for 1 month in an uncapped state underconditions of 40° C./75% RH or under conditions of 60° C. The content ofCompound (I) in the tablet was measured before and after the storageusing high-performance liquid chromatography, and the residual ratio ofCompound (I) relative to the amount at the start of the test wasevaluated.

The results are shown in Table 5. Not only in a case where onlyD-mannitol was used as the diluent (Example 2-1), but also in a casewhere cornstarch (Example 2-2) or crystalline cellulose (Example 2-3)was blended along with D-mannitol, a high residual ratio was shown.

TABLE 5 Residual ratio of Compound (I) (%) 40° C./75% RH, 40° C./75% RH,60° C., airtightly sealed Open Open 6 months 1 month 1 month Example 2-197.8 97.4 97.5 Example 2-2 96.9 98.7 98.1 Example 2-3 97.0 98.1 97.0

(Example 3) Stability of Granule

(1) Preparation of Granule

Example 3-1

Predetermined amounts of Compound (I), D-mannitol (Mannit P, MitsubishiShoji Foodtech Co., Ltd.), cornstarch, and sucrose (obtained by grindingusing a sample mill (AP-S, Hosokawa Micron Corporation, screen diameter:3 mm)) were placed in a fluidized bed granulation/drying machine (MP-01,Powrex Corporation), and a 10% aqueous hydroxypropyl cellulose solutionwas sprayed thereon while mixing, whereby a granule was produced.

Example 3-2

Predetermined amounts of Compound (I), D-mannitol (Mannit P, MitsubishiShoji Foodtech Co., Ltd.), and cornstarch were placed in a fluidized bedgranulation/drying machine (MP-01, Powrex Corporation), and a 10%aqueous hydroxypropyl cellulose solution in which a predetermined amountof yellow iron sesquioxide was dispersed was sprayed thereon whilemixing, whereby a granule was produced.

The components of each granule and the contents thereof are as shown inTable 6.

TABLE 6 Composition (mg/tablet) Component Name Example 3-1 Example 3-2Compound (I) 0.1 0.1 Cornstarch 9.9 9.9 D-mannitol (Mannit P) 475 950Sucrose 475 — Hydroxypropyl cellulose 40 40 Yellow iron sesquioxide — 1Total 1000 1001(2) Evaluation Method and Results

The obtained granule was placed in a plastic bottle along with adesiccant (Dryern tablet PW 2010, Yamani Yakuhin Co., Ltd.) andhermetically sealed, and then, stored for 2 months under conditions of40° C./75% RH (acceleration test) or stored for 1 month in an openstate. The content of Compound (I) in the granule was measured beforeand after the storage using high-performance liquid chromatography, andthe residual ratio (%) of Compound (I) relative to the amount at thestart of the test was evaluated. The results are shown in Table 7. As aresult, it was found that high stability is ensured also in a case whereit is formulated into a granule.

TABLE 7 Residual ratio of Compound (I) (%) 40° C. 75% RH, 40° C. 75% RH,airtightly sealed Open 2 months 1 month Example 3-1 100.7 99.1 Example3-2 (not measured) 98.2

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the present invention, a solid preparation containingstabilized Compound (I), that is, a solid preparation in which thestorage stability as a preparation is improved, and the decrease in thecontent of the active ingredient due to decomposition of the activeingredient and the production and increase of the decomposed products(related substances) of the active ingredient are suppressed can beprovided.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A solid, preparation comprising:2-{4-[N-(5,6-diphenylpyrazin-2-yl)-N-isopropylamino]butyloxy}-N-(methylsulfonyl)acetamide;and D-mannitol having a specific surface area of larger than 0.2 m²/g,and 1.0 m²/g or less; wherein the content of D-mannitol is: (a) suchthat the weight of D-mannitol is from 5 to 10000 parts by weight withrespect to 1 part by weight of2-{4-[N-(5,6-diphenylpyrazin-2-yl)-N-isopropylamino]butyloxy}-N-(methylsulfonyl)acetamide,(b) from 10 to 99 wt % of the total weight of the solid preparation, and(c) 20 wt % or more of the total weight of diluents contained in thesolid preparation.
 2. The solid preparation according to claim 1,further comprising a diluent other than D-mannitol and a binder.
 3. Thesolid preparation according to claim 2, wherein the diluent other thanD-mannitol is one type or two types selected from the group consistingof cornstarch, sucrose, and crystalline cellulose.
 4. The solidpreparation according to claim 2, wherein the binder is hydroxypropylcellulose.
 5. The solid preparation according to claim 1, furthercomprising: (d) one type or two types selected from the group consistingof cornstarch, sucrose, and crystalline cellulose; and (e) hydroxypropylcellulose.
 6. The solid preparation according to claim 5, wherein (f)the content of2-{4-[N-(5,6-diphenylpyrazin-2-yl)-N-isopropylamino]butyloxy}-N-(methylsulfonyl)acetamideis from 0.1 to 2 wt % of the total weight of the solid preparation, (b)the content of D-mannitol is from 20 to 80 wt % of the total weight ofthe solid preparation, (g) the content of cornstarch is from 15 to 40 wt% of the total weight of the solid preparation, and (h) the content ofhydroxypropyl cellulose is from 1 to 5 wt % of the total weight c f thesolid preparation.
 7. The solid preparation according to claim 1,wherein2-{4-[N-5,6-diphenylpyrazin-2-yl)-N-isopropylamino]butyloxy}-N-(methylsulfonyl)acetamideis a Form-I crystal.
 8. The solid preparation according to claim 1,wherein the solid preparation is a tablet or a granule.
 9. A method fortreating diabetic neuropathy, diabetic gangrene, a peripheralcirculatory disturbance, chronic arterial occlusion, intermittentclaudication, scleroderma, thrombosis, pulmonary hypertension,myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, glomerulonephritis, diabeticnephropathy, chronic renal failure, bronchial asthma, interstitialpneumonia, a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, tubulointerstitialnephritis, an inflammatory bowel disease, or a symptom associated withspinal canal stenosis, the method comprising the step of administeringto a subject, a solid preparation comprising:2-{4-[N-(5,6-diphenylpyrazin-2-yl)-N-isopropylamino]butyloxy}-N-(methylsulfonyl)acetamide;and D-mannitol having a specific surface area of larger than 0.2 m²/g,and 1.0 m²/g or less; wherein the content of D-mannitol is: (a) suchthat the weight of D-mannitol is from 5 to 10000 parts by weight withrespect 1 part by weight of2-{4-[N-(5,6-diphenylpyrazin-2-yl)-N-isopropylamino]butyloxy}-N-(methylsulfonyl)acetamide,(b) from 10 to 99 wt % of the total weight of the solid preparation, and(c) 20 wt % or more of the total weight of diluents contained in thesolid preparation.
 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein what istreated is pulmonary hypertension.
 11. The method according to claim 9,wherein what is treated is a peripheral circulatory disturbance.
 12. Themethod according to claim 9, wherein what is treated is chronic arterialocclusion.
 13. The method according to claim 9, wherein what is treatedis intermittent claudication.
 14. The method according to claim 9,wherein what is treated is a symptom associated with spinal canalstenosis.
 15. The method according to claim 9, wherein what is treatedis interstitial pneumonia and the interstitial pneumonia treated ispulmonary fibrosis.
 16. The method according to claim 9, wherein what istreated is scleroderma.
 17. The method according to claim 9, whereinwhat is treated is chronic renal failure.
 18. The method according toclaim 9, wherein what is treated is tubulointerstitial nephritis. 19.The method according to claim 10, wherein the pulmonary hypertensiontreated is pulmonary arterial hypertension.
 20. The method according toclaim 19, wherein the solid preparation further comprises a diluentother than D-mannitol and a binder.
 21. The method according to claim19, wherein the solid preparation further comprises: (d) one type or twotypes selected from the group consisting of cornstarch, sucrose, andcrystalline cellulose; and (e) hydroxypropyl cellulose.
 22. The methodaccording to claim 21, wherein the solid preparation comprisescornstarch, and (f) the content of2-{4-[N-(5,6-diphenylpyrazin-2-yl)-N-isopropylamino]butyloxy}-N-(methylsulfonyl)acetamideis from 0.1 to 2 wt % of the total weight of the solid preparation, (b)the content of D-mannitol is from 20 to 80 wt % of the total weight ofthe solid preparation, (g) the content of cornstarch is from 15 to 40 wt% of the total weight of the solid preparation, and (h) the content ofhydroxypropyl cellulose is from 1 to 5 wt % of the total weight of thesolid preparation.
 23. The method according to claim 19, wherein thesolid preparation is a tablet.
 24. The method according to claim 23,wherein D-mannitol has a specific surface area of larger than 0.2 m²/gand smaller than 0.7 m²/g, and the content of D-mannitol is: (a) suchthat the weight of D-mannitol is from 10 to 9500 parts by weight withrespect to 1 part by weight of2-{4-[N-(5,6-diphenylpyrazin-2-yl)-N-isopropylamino]butyloxy}-N-(methylsulfonyl)acetamide,(b) from 20 to 80 wt % of the total weight of the solid preparation, and(c) 50 wt % or more of the total weight of diluents contained in thesolid preparation.
 25. The method according to claim 24, wherein thesolid preparation further comprises: (d) one type or two types selectedfrom the group consisting of cornstarch, sucrose, and crystallinecellulose; and (e) hydroxypropyl cellulose.
 26. The method according toclaim 25, wherein the solid preparation comprises cornstarch, and (f)the content of2-{4-[N-(5,6-diphenylpyrazin-2-yl)-N-isopropylamino]butyloxy}-N-(methylsulfonyl)acetamideis from 0.1 to 2 wt % of the total weight of the solid preparation, (g)the content of cornstarch is from 1.5 to 40 wt % of the total weight ofthe solid preparation, and (h) the content of hydroxypropyl cellulose isfrom 1 to 5 wt % of the total weight of the solid preparation.